Brahms and Schoenberg!
I am always intrigued with the creative ideas of performing artists! In this case, pianist Shai Wosner gives us a CD where he interweaves the music of Schoenberg with that of Brahms. Let me explain:
On Shai Wosner’s new CD which was issued August 31, 2010, we get a recording of Brahms’ 7 Fantasies Op. 116. On tracks 6-18, following each work of Brahms is a performance of Schoenberg’s 6 Little Piano Pieces. How clever that is, as a study of two composers and their respective styles…
Johannes Brahms lived from 1833 to 1897, Schoenberg was born in 1874, when Brahms was 41 years old, and he lived on until 1951. As such, there was a long time period when these 2 composers were living in the same world and experiencing at least some of the same times as musicians. (Yes… later Schoenberg moved to the US, but Brahms never came to the US, unlike such giants as Mahler)
Tracks on this CD include:
• Schoenberg: Suite for Piano, Op. 25
• Then the Brahms/Schoenberg I described above
• And finally the Brahms Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Handel, Op. 24
These compositions work well together, and Wosner’s fine playing suits this arrangement beautifully. The final selection, Brahms’ Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Handel, Op. 24, shows off Mr. Wosner’s fine pianistic capabilities, making this CD a really worthwhile recording.
Here is Shai Wosner, performing Schumann’s Carnaval:
Tags: Shai Wosner, Brahms, Schoenberg